Abstract: Apparatus and method for reducing the current consumption and increasing the efficiency of a MIMO system, consisting of one or more RF power amplifiers (PAs) and that is required to provide a desired total output power level. An individual output power level which is a portion of the total output power level is determined for each PA. The load, connected to the output stage of each PA, is dynamically or statically tuned to essentially match the output impedance of its output stage, such that its dynamic or static RF load line has a slope that corresponds to the impedance required to provide this portion. Whenever a smaller output power is desired in response to reduction in the input signal to MIMO system, a reduced portion is determined for each PA and the load is further tuned, such that the dynamic/static RF load line has a slope that causes each PA to essentially remain in saturation while providing the reduced portion.

Abstract: An avalanche photodiode semiconductor device (20) for converting an impinging photon (22) includes a base n+ doped material layer (52) formed having a window section (72) for passing the photon (22). An n? doped material layer (30) is formed on the n+ doped material layer (52) having a portion of a lower surface (74) suitably exposed. An n+ doped material layer (32) is formed on the n? doped material (30). A p+ layer (24) formed on top of the n+ doped layer (32). At least one guard ring (26) is formed in the n? doped layer (30).

Abstract: A radio frequency semiconductor switching device (S) is formed on an MMIC structure (C) including a switching circuit element (12) having four semiconductor switching units (68, 70) with each adapted for receiving a gate control signal. A level shift circuit (10) generates a biasing voltage signal communicated of the switching units (68, 70) for biasing the switching units (68), and provides an output that swings between approximately one diode drop above ground and a negative voltage to bias the switching circuit elements (68 and 70) for reduced loss. The level shift circuit (10) is responsive to an externally provided control signal (58). The switching units (68, 70) are formed into a grouping of at least, a first and a second set (76, 78) of interconnected semiconductor switching units (68, 70) with each set (76, 78) having gates of at least two of the interconnected switching units (68, 70) connected with the level shift circuit output (60, 62).

Abstract: A magnetic sensor assembly (100) uses printed circuit boards (PCB) (102) having a first surface (130) and an opposite, complementary second surface (132) to fabricate the sensor devices (104) and their associated processing circuitry. A trace or conductive element (106), or pair (108a, 108b) of complementary printed traces or conductor elements, on or within the board (102) are run beneath the magnetic sensor element (104), with the return trace or traces routed more remotely from the sensor (104).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the efficiency of publicity and/or broadcasted programs, according to which, when a TV converter or FM radio is operated, the frequency of the broadcast channel received at the moment is determined either directly from the TV converter or FM radio display or by extracting the LO frequency of the TV converter or FM radio. The frequency is transformed to a digital word and when the information as to the amount of watching and listening of a given publicity and/or broadcasted program or publicities is desired, a request for the information is sent and when received, the memorized digital words corresponding to the frequency of the broadcast channel received at the moment is transmitted.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for efficiently providing DC power enhancement to power amplifiers each of which being arranged in a MIMO system, by suing an enhancement circuitry with a plurality of inputs and outputs. Each input has a corresponding DC enhancement output that is connected to a DC enhancement input of a power amplifier. The DC enhancement output becomes operative whenever the amplitude of the corresponding input signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. The envelope of a plurality of input signals is sampled by sampling circuitries and the sampled envelopes are fed into a summation circuitry, in which they are summed. Whenever one of the sampled envelopes exceeds the threshold, a DC enhancement power is simultaneously provided to all DC enhancement inputs of all power amplifiers.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor assembly (S) of the type having at least one capacitor (44) electrically connecting an output signal (70) from a magnetic sensor unit (24) to an output signal source (30) includes switch (14) for controllably electrically disconnecting the capacitor (44) from output signal (70) and alternatively connecting the capacitor (44). The capacitor (44) is disconnected from the magnetic sensor unit (24) by the switch (14) during times that transient signals may be generated by the magnetic sensor unit (24) thereby preventing the capacitor (44) from being charged. A magnetic sensor assembly (100) uses printed circuit boards (PCB) (102) having a conductive element (106) on or within the PCB (102) beneath a magnetic sensor element (104) for testing.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for messaging over a data network, such as the Internet and interactive TV, which allows every registered user to generate and update one or more user portfolio(s) containing information relative to Providers and/or individuals of which the user is willing to view their messages. The messages are displayed inside the space of the webpage where usually banners are shown. The system may provide benefits to the user upon displaying messages with commercial value to him. The disclosed messaging system allows an easy and effective communication path between providers and users any time publicly or privately in the banner area of a web site, which does not occupy additional space on the user's browser, and does not require the user to load another application besides his browser.

Abstract: A remote communications node unit (86) determines radio frequency (RF) dynamic spectrum utilization for use in a RF communications network (154) and includes a measuring module (46) for measuring radio frequency (RF) interference at a location of the communications node unit (86). A processing module (62) receives RF measurement data from the measuring module (46) for determining RF interference in a local environment of the remote communications node (86) based upon selected factors of the type including mission priority parameters, channel availability statistics, link dynamic information, and the waveform dependent susceptibility data. The processing module (62) controls communications frequency and characteristics used by the remote communications module (86) for exchange of information with other remote communications nodes (86).

Abstract: A mobile device which supports apparatus for site imaging while in transit is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a plurality of wheels, an imaging unit having at least one camera and supported above the head of an operator, a control unit for monitoring and controlling operation of each camera and of generated image data so as to produce an interactive movie, a steering device for navigating the mobile device within the site, a measuring device for measuring the relative displacement of the mobile device, a computer for determining the relative location and orientation of the mobile device within the site and for processing data, and a monitor. In one embodiment, two of the wheels are self-aligning caster wheels, and a mechanism and method for preventing drifting during the initial advancement of the mobile device are provided. A rotating mechanism is actuated until each caster wheel achieves a trailing position.

Abstract: Circuitry for providing improved pulse-type enhancement of the voltage supplied to a power amplifier (101) that is fed by a power supply that is connected to the power amplifier (101) at a feeding point through a main supply path that is connected via an inductor (L1). A second feeding point is used for enhancement by a capacitor that is discharged. A transformer L2, L3, M) is formed by mutually coupling an additional inductor (L3), through which an additional supply path is connected. Enhancement power is provided partially through the transformer L2, L3, M) and the remaining part thorough the capacitor (C1). This way, the total level of possible enhancement is increased, while minimizing distortion of the envelope of the amplified RF signal.

Abstract: An electronic controller (16) controls the operation of an electrochemical oxygen generating system (14) producing a desired gas. The product gas is fed to a storage unit (12) or a regulator (28) and pulsing valve (28) controlling the gas flow to a user. A two-stage system (180) combines a low pressure 100 and a high pressure (150) gas generating subsystems. The low pressure subsystem (100) uses IMAT's (106) to pump oxygen from ambient air to generate a low-pressure. The high pressure subsystem (150) uses IMAT's (160) to pump oxygen to high-pressure oxygen storage devices (194).

Abstract: An ionically conductive ceramic element (20) comprises a plurality of tubes (30) each having interior (24) and exterior (38) surfaces and closed (48) and open (50) ends. A tube support (14) receives open tube ends (50). A first electrically conductive coating (36) is formed on the exterior tube surfaces (38). A second coating (22) is formed on the interior tube surfaces (24). A bottom electrically conductive stripe (16) makes electrical connections between second coatings (22) on the interior tube surfaces (24). A top electrically conductive stripe (40) creates electrical connections between first coatings (36) on the exterior tube surfaces (38). The top and bottom stripes are connected such that at least one stripe (40) on the top is electrically connected to at least one stripe (16) on the bottom.

Abstract: A combined format gamma-ray detector (D) for measuring impinging gamma-rays (10) includes an active upper level coded aperture detector plane member (12) that is suitable for detecting an impinging gamma-ray (10). An active lower level gamma ray detector plane member (14) that is spaced apart from the upper level coded aperture (12) detects an impinging gamma-ray (10). At low gamma-ray energies, the combined format gamma-ray detector device (D) operates as a conventional coded aperture system and at higher gamma-ray energies, the combined format gamma-ray detector device operates as a Compton scattering detector device.

Abstract: A cathode for a liquid fuel cell, which is covered with a film that is a liquid fuel barrier, but is permeable to oxygen, or for a direct methanol fuel cell, which is covered with a film that is a methanol barrier, but is permeable to oxygen. The fuel barrier may be made of the polymer of a macrocyclic compound having, in the same molecule, preferably three substituents that allow polymerization and crosslinking. The methanol barrier may be made of a polymerized porphyrin, wherein the porphyrin is chosen from among non-metallated and metallated porphyrins.

Abstract: A connector system (C) for forming an electrical connection between two electronic or electrical assemblies includes a conductive tubular female member (40) and a compatible flexible male member (44). The male member (44) preferably comprises a helical coil spring-like wire portion (50) about a central axial post (52) for establishing electrical contact with and removably mating with an interior surface (42) of the conductive tubule receptacle member (40) electrically connected with an electronic assembly (28).

Abstract: An attenuator circuit (10) having two or more branch circuits (12a to 12e) has inputs (14a to 14e) for the branch circuits (12a to 12e) being connected essentially in parallel arrangement to an input port (20) for the attenuator circuit (10). Each branch circuit (12a to 12e) includes one or more bipolar transistors (32a to 32e) having a collector element receiving a signal from a power supply (24) through at least one RF positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diode (50a-50d) that a control circuit (24) is controlling. At least one resistive element (16a) couples an input (14b) of a second (12b) of the plurality of branch circuits (12a to 12e) from the input port (20) to the branch circuits (12a to 12e). Thus, each branch (12a to 12e) of the attenuator circuit (10) draws current from a low voltage power supply (24) while still providing for sequential biasing of successive branches and linearization of overall control characteristics.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (S) includes an antenna member (10) that is adapted to be resonantly responsive to a desired frequency of electromagnetic radiation (12). An inductance changing body formed from a compressible dielectric material (14) is positioned in proximity to the antenna member (10). A housing member (16) houses the antenna member (10) in a desired proximity to the compressible dielectric material (14). The compression of the dielectric material (14) changes the effective dielectric constant of the antenna (10).

Abstract: A gas generating system (S) has a plurality of product gas generating modules (18) each of which comprises a plurality of molecular sieve beds (bed 1, bed 2) generating a product gas acting in a repetitive cycle with each cycle having a period of the cycle with peak product gas flow (106). A manifold (52) combines the product gas from the plurality of modules (18). The processor (58) generates a control signal that is communicated to the gas generating modules (18) such that the peak product gas flow period (106) of the repetitive cycle of the modules (18) is adjusted in response to the control signal. The processor (58) causes the peak period (106) for the modules (18) to be timed across the repetitive cycles in a controlled distribution.